2005 F350 "wrench" issue

[soccrman]

Hello all - hope you can steer me in the right direction here before I take it to a dealer to get hosed!!

First time towing with a new - to me - 2005 F350 diesel. Pulling up a steepish hill at 3400 rpm and about 30% turbo the orange "wrench" light on the dash came on and the truck wouldn't do over 2250 rpm. This happened 3 times but each time I stopped, 5 min break, started again and it disappeared and truck ran normally until the next big hill. It happened in both tow haul and normal. My trailer is not heavy - maybe 8000lbs tops.

I used to own a 2004 F350 so I know all the issues - but this is a new one. The 2004 was actually an excellent truck once I sorted it out and I would still have it if it wasn't STOLEN!!

This one has 212000kms and runs decent. I had it checked at local diesel shop.

Is this a sensor, transmission or engine issue!!

Thx for all your help.

Cheers,

Dave R

[W4RLR]

METZCOOL wrote:


This is sign of plugged oil cooler.

Ditto. The wrench light will illuminate when the difference in temperature between oil and coolant exceeds fifteen degrees. The oil cooler clogs up, which starves the EGR cooler of coolant, which causes the EGR coolant to rupture, which causes coolant to enter the combustion cylinders, causing head gasket failure.

'Bulletproofing" the truck, which consists of head studs, new head gaskets, new oil cooler, and a redesigned EGR cooler is the answer to the problem. Talk to a reliable diesel shop about what it would cost. I did all that, plus some other goodies like a 4 inch exhaust and additional transmission filters for $5K.

Good luck. Once bulletproofed the truck should give you no further trouble.

[soccrman]

Thx guys, great advice and helpful tips!!

Much appreciate the people on this forum. Very wise!! (except the dodge guy!!);)

Cheers

Dave R

[transamz9]

Like I said in my first post. You truck is having an overboost condition. The shop that put your injector in and told you it was fixed is the last place I would take it. I run mine like it's stolen and it will not hurt itself. Get the turbo cleaned and problem will be solved. If you baby it much you will be having it cleaned regularly. Again simple fix, get the turbo cleaned.

[itguy08]

camping man wrote:
Get it repaired, and trade it in on an older Dodge.

I don't think the OP wants a downgrade to an OK engine mated to vastly inferior truck.

[JamesBr]

Actuall I believe you where just pushing the truck and turbo too hard. I would have to dig around to find the link, but I remember several 6.0 discussions about the stock limit on the turbo was 28psi before the engine would derate itself.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

soccrman wrote:
Update 2 - had the injector fixed and this weekend did the trip up to Banff pulling the 5thW. Truck has run fine since it was fixed when not towing BUT the dreaded wrench came on again when I was on the way out of town!! Pulling fairly hard up a hill. Disappeared again when turned off and on again.
On the way back driving the same roads/hills I decided to not let the turbo psi get over 30 - and NO WRENCH and power down!! Truck ran smoothly all the way. Not exactly sure what that means but will continue to monitor and get fluids changed as I can afford it.

Cheers,

DR

Sounds like over boost to me. And that sounds like the VV are sticking to me. Wonder how the shop figured the turbo was working fine?

[Bedlam]

64thunderbolt wrote:
Hammer? I think the redline on a stock 6.0 is around 4200.

The tunes in my 7.3 turn 3800

They are V8's

I would think the oil cooler is the culprit and the high oil temps are causing it to defuel (limp mode)

Peak horsepower on the 6.0 is at 3300 RPM. There is little need to go beyond that. On a long pull, I keep the RPMs under 3000 and the turbo is boosting something around 25 PSI (this is with 19K lb GCW).

[camping_man]

Get it repaired, and trade it in on an older Dodge.

[Halmfamily]

I was told by my mechanic to keep turbo below 28 psi, said these trucks do not like that much pressure. Today I passed two 18 wheelers on a 1 mile 5° grade at 2800 rpm and 21psi on turbo with my 2006 F350. Doing 55 mph. Take it easy and she will treat you fine.

Let me edit a little on take it easy, as others have said don't baby it. They like to be driven hard but overboosting you'd turbo is not good for your truck. I drive every Saturday when not towing and once warmed up take the turbo to 25-28 psi to keep the vanes moving freely. Have not had any turbo issues since doing this.

[soccrman]

Update 2 - had the injector fixed and this weekend did the trip up to Banff pulling the 5thW. Truck has run fine since it was fixed when not towing BUT the dreaded wrench came on again when I was on the way out of town!! Pulling fairly hard up a hill. Disappeared again when turned off and on again.
On the way back driving the same roads/hills I decided to not let the turbo psi get over 30 - and NO WRENCH and power down!! Truck ran smoothly all the way. Not exactly sure what that means but will continue to monitor and get fluids changed as I can afford it.

Cheers,

DR

[soccrman]

Update - had the codes checked again this week. Local diesel shop told me the issue is injector #3 that needs replacing!! Oil cooler, turbo, EGT are all working fine.

I did put the truck in for a check up with them before and they told me the same thing. I am just surprised that the engine shut down the way it did when towing. It runs fine, after warming up, when not towing.

Will have to wait to do the repairs but need to do it before heading to W coast to see daughter!!

Thx for all replies and tips!!

Dave R

[transamz9]

Get the codes pulled. It could be something as simple as a dirty turbo. I had mine go into limp mode from an overboost condition. Had to clean the turbo.

[bighatnohorse]

A number of things will cause the 6.0 diesel to power down.
The oil cooler is THE MOST common problem causing that symptom.
Forget the dash indicator needles - they're worthless.
Get a ScanGuage II to monitor EOT (engine oil temperature) and ECT (engine coolant temperature).
When the engine oil temperature reaches 250 degrees it will cause the engine to de-power like you describe.

[64thunderbolt]

Hammer? I think the redline on a stock 6.0 is around 4200.

The tunes in my 7.3 turn 3800

They are V8's

I would think the oil cooler is the culprit and the high oil temps are causing it to defuel (limp mode)